Review: Another Taste - Another Taste II (Space Grapes)

It's hard to tell if this taste is now or 1970s - I say, any excuse to have 'Another Taste II'! 

"Dutch funk collective Another Taste returns with their second full-length album ‘Another Taste II’ on Space Grapes Records, a lable run by a certain Danilo Plessow - better known as Motor City Drum ensemble!

In a digital age, the band doubles down on analog and here ‘Another Taste II’ delivers eight new cuts of boogie, funk and obscure disco recorded live to tape". 

With a live set that's seen them pay London (Camden Town) venues KOKO and Jazz Café  and clubs Tresor Berlin, New Morning Paris, and festivals like Love Supreme (UK), Lost Village (UK), Nuits Sonores (FR), Hamburg Jazz (DE), Lowlands (NL), ADE Amsterdam they's taken their debut 2024 album sound to a full disco/radio/club show with ‘Another Taste II’, as "the full immersion".

The flit from disco 'Party Lights' to radio jazz-soul 'Waiting Game' and 'Never Down' back to party time 'Run Into Love' and 'Into The Night' gets various Chic/Shalamar/Rose Royce/etc boxes ticked without any hint of cliché or cheese.

And here's an anthem for the age as on 'Peace Call', they are joined by Arp Frique and the Perpetual Singers (they of Alpha & Omega' - see review HERE) and bolstered throughout by a dedicated brass section. 

But does anyone remember Blue Feather? The Dutch soul/funk band from 70s/80s and their big hit 'Let's Funk Tonight' you might think would be an inspiration?  Well, I'm guessing 'Blue Feather Movement' is Another Taste's tribute to them and it's all what you'd want in a Latin-jazz-disco killer track - lets hope there's an even longer 12" mix on the cards (Ed. on blue vinyl?)

The new album presents a whole new menu creation that’s both timeless and comforting in equal measures - it'll be even more of a monster at festivals/shows this year including the Brick Lane Festival..

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: ANOTHER TASTE - Another Taste II Vinyl at Juno Records.

Artist: Another Taste
Title: Another Taste II 
Release Date : 24th April, 2026
Catalog Number : SGP 016

Label : Space Grapes

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers - Alpha & Omega (Colorful World Records / Rush Hour)

It's always exciting to find a new 12" with Amsterdam's Rush Hour's seal of approval on it and can you imagine Prince, Isley Bros. and George Clinton going to the church of funk with some great gospel singers? 

And we're not talking any old singer, when you've got, "Texas born gospel singer Brandon Delagraentiss, longtime collaborator Marissa Nyamekye aka Mariseya and the legendary LA-born vocalist Rocq-E Harrell who - in her career spanning decades - has sung with Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Earth Wind & Fire, and toured with Diana Ross and the legendary Barry White"; aka The Perpetual Singers.

Like Arpy Brown, Arp Frique's love of the Arp Instruments vintage analog synths, matched with Chic's 'Le Freak' plus The Perpetual Singers have producer an EP with 4 tracks on it that follows the album, 'The Gospel Of Jesamy' but more intensely like the 'Hold The Line' rework.

I can't say I've read the bible for a while so i'm not up with the meaning of 'Alpha & Omega' but 'For Your Love' (not the 60s hit) is one to join in with the girls, raise your arms and "Praise him and sing Hallelujah"

'Help Me Jesus' is the surprise in the packag as its the most Isley Bros.in their 70s period on the fast-track railroad as they catch the tain to check out Pastor T. L. Barrett as the ship is about to sail: gospel rock house?  And the title track is in even more overdrive than this one!

'Live Together Live' is in the same ball park but with George Clinton leading the funky congregation in the church of a atomic dog house; with cautionary lyrics about the love of money, bettter mend your ways people.

These track moves the project along that already has loads of 'big head' fans like Gilles Peterson, Louie Vega, Moodymann which has led to appearances at festivals like We Out Here, North Sea Jazz and all the best ones in Europe; expect to hear more from these guys.

It's Bootsy baby, but not as we know it.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: ▶︎ The Gospel Of Jesamy | Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers | Arp Frique

Artist: Arp Frique &The Perpetual Singers

Title: Alpha & Omega

Release date: 6th February, 2026

Label: Colorful World Records / Rush Hour

Cat. No: TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp.